If you’re a fan of art and dogs, chances are you’ve come across the famous painting “Dogs Playing Poker.” The image of a group of dogs gathered around a table playing cards has become an iconic representation of whimsy and humor in the art world.
But just how many versions of this painting exist? Let’s take a closer look.
First, it’s important to note that the original “Dogs Playing Poker” painting was actually part of a series created by artist Cassius Marcellus Coolidge in the early 1900s. The series consisted of 16 oil paintings, each featuring different breeds of dogs engaging in various human activities such as playing pool or smoking cigars.
Of these 16 paintings, nine feature the canine card players we all know and love. These include:
1. A Friend in Need – This is the most well-known painting in the series and features seven dogs gathered around a table, with one dog cheating by having an ace up its sleeve.
2. His Station and Four Aces – This painting features five dogs playing cards on a train.
3. Pinched with Four Aces – In this piece, four dogs are shown playing cards on a porch while another dog looks on from inside the house.
4. Poker Sympathy – This painting depicts two dogs sitting at a table while one dog looks over their shoulders sympathetically.
5. Post Mortem – This darker piece shows three dogs gathered around a table after one of them has passed away.
6. Sitting Up with a Sick Friend – In this image, two dogs stay up all night watching over their sick friend while playing cards.
7. Stranger in Camp – Five dogs are shown playing poker outside their tent while another dog approaches them from behind.
8. Waterloo – This piece shows ten dogs playing poker in a smoke-filled room during a battle reenactment.
9. A Bold Bluff – In this painting, a bulldog is shown bluffing his way through a game of poker with four other dogs.
In addition to these nine paintings, there are also three other versions of “Dogs Playing Poker” that were created by other artists. These include:
10. Jack of Arts – This piece was created by artist Arthur Sarnoff and shows five dogs playing poker in a bar.
11. Dogs Playing Poker – A Friend in Need – This version was created by artist Michael Godard and features the same seven dogs as the original painting, but with some added humor.
12. Dogs Playing Poker – This version was created by artist C.M. Coolidge’s grandson in 2002 and features a modern twist on the original painting with dogs playing online poker.
So in total, there are 12 different versions of “Dogs Playing Poker” that exist. Each one offers its own unique take on the classic image and has become a beloved part of pop culture history.
Whether you’re an art enthusiast or just love dogs, it’s hard not to appreciate the charm and humor that these paintings bring to the table (no pun intended). So next time you come across one of these playful images, take a moment to appreciate all the different versions that exist and how they’ve become such an iconic representation of fun and whimsy in the art world.
